Ballestas Islands tour: penguins & sea lions from Paracas

Humboldt penguins and sea lions gather at Ballestas Islands in numbers most travelers don't expect.

A 2-hour boat tour from Paracas to the Ballestas Islands, a marine sanctuary where you observe Humboldt penguins, sea lions, and occasionally dolphins in their natural habitat. The route includes a stop at El Candelabro, an enigmatic geoglyph on the Paracas Peninsula, before heading to the islands. A live guide in English or Spanish narrates both stops, and lifejackets are provided. Entrance fees to the islands and the geoglyph are paid separately at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour to Ballestas Islands

• Depart from Paracas
• Stop to see El Candelabro
• Photograph and learn about El Candelabro
• Sail to Ballestas Islands
• Observe Humboldt penguins and sea lions
• Return to Paracas enjoying sea breeze

The Experience

The boat leaves Paracas and sails for 10 minutes to El Candelabro, a large figure drawn into the sand on the northern edge of the Paracas Peninsula. The guide explains its mysterious origin and great scale while you photograph and film it. Then the boat continues another 15 minutes across open water to reach the Ballestas Islands, an important sanctuary for marine fauna where Humboldt penguins and sea lions live in visible numbers. You watch them from the boat as it moves through the waters around the islands.

The return journey takes about 40 minutes of navigation. The sea breeze and the rhythm of the water make this stretch of the day a natural wind-down after the intensity of watching the wildlife. Lifejackets are worn throughout, and the guide remains with the group to answer questions and point out details. Children from age 1 are welcome on board, though infants must sit on an adult's lap.

What’s included

• Boat transport from Paracas to Ballestas Islands and El Candelabro.
• lifejackets for all passengers.
• live guide in English or Spanish.
• stops at both the geoglyph and the marine sanctuary for wildlife observation and photography.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Agencia de viajes Meet Peru

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to see both the Candelabro geoglyph and the Ballestas Islands wildlife in a single morning or afternoon outing, rather than booking them separately.

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Top questions

What animals will I actually see on the Ballestas Islands tour?

Humboldt penguins and sea lions are the main wildlife at Ballestas Islands, and they gather in numbers visible from the boat. Dolphins appear occasionally, and you may also spot starfish and other marine fauna. The guide points out what is present on the day you visit.

How long is the boat ride to Ballestas Islands from Paracas?

The full tour runs 2 hours. The initial sail to El Candelabro takes 10 minutes, the passage to Ballestas Islands another 15 minutes, and the return journey about 40 minutes, with time spent at each stop observing and photographing.

What is El Candelabro and why do we stop there?

El Candelabro is an enigmatic geoglyph drawn in the sand on the Paracas Peninsula, similar in origin to the famous lines at Nazca. The tour stops there so you can photograph it and hear the guide explain its mysterious background and scale before continuing to the islands.

Do I need to pay anything extra for entrance to Ballestas Islands?

Yes, entrance fees to Ballestas Islands and El Candelabro are paid separately at checkout. The cost is 16 soles (approximately USD 4.20) for adults and 8 soles (approximately USD 2.10) for children.

Is this tour suitable for young children?

Children from age 1 are welcome on the tour. Infants must sit on an adult's lap during the boat ride. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries due to the boat motion.